I've known Leah for years, and from the moment I met her, I knew she was incredibly talented as a photographer. But what's truly remarkable is the growth I've witnessed in her craft over the years. Watching her evolve not only as an artist but also as a business owner has been inspiring in itself.
Even though I always knew how skilled Leah was, it took me a long time to build up the courage to book a photoshoot with her. In fact, I let my fears hold me back for two full years before I finally decided to take that step forward. In that time, the idea of what I wanted this shoot to be evolved in ways I hadn't imagined, and to be honest, it wasn't until about a month before the shoot that I even considered doing a boudoir session. But once the thought crossed my mind, I realized Leah would be the only photographer I'd trust to help me capture such an intimate and personal experience.
My journey with body love and self-acceptance has been a long and challenging one. Though I've done a lot of healing work over the years, I still carried a lot of fear around this shoot. Leah was incredibly patient with me, holding space for me every step of the way. She never pushed me, but instead gently guided me through the process. We had multiple creative calls to explore what I wanted to express through the photos and what kind of setting would feel right. She was so supportive in helping me make decisions, from choosing a location to narrowing down outfit options.
After much thought, we landed on Joshua Tree. And even then, Leah took the time to help me with every detail--recommending outfits, offering advice, and calming my nerves as I worked through the overwhelm of it all. On the day of the shoot, I still felt nervous, but as soon as we got started, my fear melted away. Leah's energy was infectious--she cracked jokes, hyped me up, and helped me tap into a playful, feminine side of myself I hadn't fully embraced. With her light suggestions, I found myself feeling comfortable and confident, forgetting for a moment that I was standing naked in the middle of the desert!
When it came time for the photo reveal, I cried. This wasn't just a photoshoot; it was a deeply therapeutic part of my self-love journey. I've never been able to look at photos of myself without fixating on imperfections, but these photos were different. For the first time in my life, I saw myself as a whole, and not just the parts I had always been afraid to fully embrace. I couldn't find a single flaw. All I saw was love for myself, in every picture. It was a moment of pure self-acceptance, and I couldn't help but reflect on how far I've come in my own journey with my body.
Something Leah has told me before is how important it is for her to fall in love with her clients during a shoot. She believes that when she can connect with them in this way, she reflects that love back to them through the photos. I saw this in action, firsthand, in the desert. Leah created such a loving, supportive environment that helped me release my fears and embrace my true self. I could see that love reflected back to me in the photos, and it was a beautiful experience I will cherish forever.
If you're considering a photoshoot but are letting fear hold you back, I promise this will be a healing, transformative experience. Don't wait as long as I did--I only wish I had taken the leap sooner. read more